Editorial—Managing

People are very concerned about the quality of both their present and future lives. To help resolve personal issues and improve quality of life, many books have been printed and seminars presented on MANAGING such issues as anger, stress, finances, conflict, crises, and anxiety—among many other topics.

Why is it important to MANAGE things in life, especially in business? Because if a business is not properly MANAGED, it could be ruined, and the business owner may end up in bankruptcy.

Just recently news media reported that the world’s second-richest person today is Bernard Arnault, the French billionaire. It’s no longer Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft. Bernard Arnault overtook Gates on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, resulting in Bill Gates being dropped out of the top-two slot for the first time in seven years—ever since the index was created. (See https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/17/business/bernard-arnualt-bill-gates-richest-scli/index.html.)

Why did this happen to Bill Gates? Was he not a good MANAGER of his business? Was Bernard Arnault a better manager because his net worth is about $108 billion, while Bill Gates’s net worth is “only” $107 billion? No! Bill Gates is still a good manager. He would have ranked first if not for his generous philanthropic giving. He donated more than $35 billion to the foundation he set up for the needy.

Jeff Bezos, the Amazon CEO who has a net worth of $125 billion, would never hold his top rank on the Bloomberg list should Bill Gates become stingy and selfish. Did Bill Gates make a wrong decision for being generous and caring for people’s needs? Absolutely not! He made the right decision, even though his noble act cost him the highest ranking. In Heaven’s eyes, Bill Gates is on top.

In the Bible we learn about someone else who had great wealth. In 2 Chronicles 1:11, 12 we read, God said to Solomon, ‘Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have’” (NIV).

King Solomon became the wealthiest man of his time because he was able to MANAGE his priorities by asking God for wisdom and knowledge to lead His people wisely. If anyone knows about money, it is Solomon. He wrote about one of God’s principles in MANAGING money in Proverbs 11:24, 25: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (NIV). The bottom line is, “give generously.”

John Wesley once said, “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” As good stewards and managers, we are to MANAGE everything God has given to us, and give generously. We may not be able to give as much as Bill Gates gives, but let’s give all we can.

Hiskia Missah
Editor

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